The 1930s are, in our opinion, one of the most elegant decades of the 20^th century. Men wore cool, double-breasted suits, accessorized with fedoras and quality watches, boys wore short shorts and tall socks and women wore dresses that gave them a special shape, floral patterns and elegant fur. Shoulder pads were also big in fashion and hats were a big trend among women until the late 1930s.

While most of the pictures we see from the thirties are from the United States of America or from Europe, there was a lot of elegance going around in Australia as well. Down Under, women’s skirts became longer, waist lines came back to their regular positions in an attempt to bring back the classic “womanly look” and the so-called “halter neck” was introduced on swimming costumes. Zippers and nylon stockings were commonplace and cloche hats were everywhere.

Men also wore Western suits, with strong shoulder pads and made sure to be pretty covered up when hitting the beach.

We found a collection of beautiful photographs of 1930s fashion in Queensland, Australia, made available by the State Library of Queensland, with comments, and selected the images that were most inspiring and captured the fashion of the 1930s Australia in great detail and with much style.

 

 

The card players

 

 

Card players in Centenial Place, Brisbane

Five men, wearing suits and hats, playing cards in Centenial Place in Brisbane.

Photographer unknown.

 

 

The tennis club

 

 

Members of the Newmarket local tennis club in Brisbane, ca. 1935

Back row: Jim and Jack Creedy.

Others present include Allan Dennis and Alec Morris. (Description supplied with photograph.)

Photographer unknown.

 

 

For a drive

 

 

Group of mates riding in a Model T Ford, Double Island Point, 1931

Sitting behind the wheel of the Ford is the owner, Henry Mallett. Pictured from left are: Joe Hooper, Henry Mallett, V. Ross, B. H. Campbell and Naher Buttress.

 

 

Surf Down Under

 

 

Surfer posing with his surfboard, ca. 1935

Photographer unknown.

 

 

Sunday at the races

 

 

Section of the crowd at Albion Park racetrack, Brisbane, November 1932

This section of the crowd at Albion Park yesterday includes some well-known racing personalities.

Photographer unknown.

 

 

They’re placing their bets on fashion

 

 

Two women picking a winner at the races, Brisbane, 1933

Miss Mercia Doran and Mrs J. Dean were intent on picking winners when pictured at the Q. T. C. Cup meeting. (Description taken from: Truth, Sunday 12 November 1933, p. 23.)

Photographer unknown.

 

 

Suit it up!

 

 

Gathering at the Muttaburra races, June 1935

From second on left: Thomas James Bowden; Elizabeth Jane Bowden (nee Dixon); Grace Rether Bowden (aka: Grace Caroline Rita Bowden); Lizzie Kate Bowden (nee Winter); Nellie Bowden (light hat and coat); Front row: Thomas Shalto Bowden.

Photographer unknown.

 

 

The original Baywatchers

 

 

Surf lifesavers march past Burleigh Heads ca. 1935

Surf lifesavers in a march past at Burleigh Heads. The team in the front are wearing the distinctive striped costumes of the Burleigh Heads-Mowbray Park Surf Life Saving Club.

 

 

Taking a dive

 

 

Diving at the Valley Baths, Brisbane, Queensland, 1938

An action shot of a young man diving from a tower at the Valley swimming pool. Other young men in swimming costumes are waiting in turn on the tower and on a lower diving board. The Baths are in Wickham Street, Fortitude Valley, and are still widely used by the Brisbane community today.

 

 

From full bathing suits to dad suits and elegant dresses, the 1930s marked a time of high elegance for the common man and woman. We would definitely love to see it make a come-back in a modern, progressive and elegant way. Who knows, maybe the next wave of great style will come from Down Under?

 

 

Fraquoh and Franchomme

 

 

 

 

 

P.S. We want to hear from you! How does the fashion of the 1930s communicate with you? What elements would you wear today? Which picture from our collection was your favorite? Share your feedback, questions or thoughts in the comments below! For more articles on style, fashion tips and cultural insights, you can subscribe to Attire Club via e-mail or follow us on Facebook, Twitter or Instagram!